Manual submersible auxiliary swim platform for vessels

Abstract

A manual and submersible auxiliary swim platform for a vessel having a main aft platform, the main aft platform having a recessed area for receiving the auxiliary swim platform. A pair of bracket assemblies secure the auxiliary platform to the main aft platform, and both bracket assemblies have a first bracket member, a second bracket member, and a detent bushing. The detent bushing is interposed and secured to the first and second bracket members at a common end. The detent bushing limits rotational and pivotal movement of the bracket assemblies in conjunction with a contact tab, pin and channel design of the bracket assemblies.

Claims

1. A manual and submersible auxiliary swim platform for a vessel having a main aft platform, comprising: said main aft platform having a recessed area for receiving said auxiliary swim platform; a pair of bracket assemblies for securing said auxiliary platform to said main aft platform; each said bracket assembly including a first bracket member, a second bracket member, and a detent bushing; said detent bushing interposed said first and second bracket members and secured therein; said detent bushing limiting movement of said second bracket member; said first bracket member for being secured to said main aft platform within said recessed area; said second bracket member secured to said auxiliary swim platform; and said bracket assemblies providing for movement of said auxiliary swim platform from a stowed position to a deployed position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: said first bracket member having a first end and a second end, said first end for securing to said main aft platform; said second bracket member having a first end and a second end, said first end for securing to auxiliary swim platform; and said second ends of said first and second bracket members being rotatably secured to one another, said detent bushing being interposed therein.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: said second ends of said first and second bracket members, and said detent bushing, being of complementary geometric shape; and said bracket assemblies being generally vertically disposed.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising: said second end of said second bracket member having an off-set pin; said detent bushing having a defined channel; said second end of said first bracket member having a contact tab; said off-set pin pivotally engaging said defined channel and said contact tab upon rotation of said bracket assembly.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: said second ends of said first and second bracket members, and said detent bushing, having a generally circular shape.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: said first end of said second bracket member having an angled flange member, said flange member for securing said auxiliary swim platform to said second bracket member.

7. A submersible auxiliary platform for a vessel having a main platform, comprising: said main platform having a recessed area for receiving said auxiliary platform; a pair of opposing, complementary and generally vertical bracket assemblies for securing said auxiliary platform to said main platform; each said bracket assembly including a first bracket member, a second bracket member, and a detent bushing; said detent bushing interposed said first and second bracket members and secured therein; said detent bushing limiting movement of said second bracket member; said first bracket member for being secured to said main platform within said recessed area; said second bracket member secured to said auxiliary platform; and said bracket assemblies providing for movement of said auxiliary platform from a stowed position to a deployed position.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising: said first and second bracket members being rotatably secured to one another at a common end; and said detent bushing being interposed therein.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising: said second bracket member having an angled flange member at one end, said flange member for securing said auxiliary platform to said second bracket member.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: said second bracket member having an off-set pin; said detent bushing having a defined channel; said first bracket member having a contact tab; said off-set pin pivotally engaging said defined channel and said contact tab upon rotation of said bracket assembly.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1A is a partial top plan view of the rear of an exemplary vessel including the submersible auxiliary swim platform of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 1B is a partial perspective view of the rear of an exemplary vessel including the submersible auxiliary swim platform of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the rear of an exemplary vessel including the submersible auxiliary swim platform in the deployed position.

(4) FIG. 2B is a top plan view of the rear of an exemplary vessel including the submersible auxiliary swim platform in the deployed position.

(5) FIG. 2C is an enlarged perspective detail view of the section A of FIG. 2A.

(6) FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of that shown in FIG. 2B

(7) FIG. 4A is a perspective top plan view of the auxiliary swim platform.

(8) FIG. 4B is an alternative perspective top plan view of the auxiliary swim platform.

(9) FIG. 4C is a perspective bottom plan view of the auxiliary swim platform shown in FIG. 4A with bracket assemblies in exploded view.

(10) FIG. 4D is a perspective bottom plan view of the auxiliary swim platform shown in FIG. 4C with bracket assemblies attached.

(11) FIG. 5A is an exploded partial assembly perspective view of the auxiliary swim platform with bracket assemblies in deployed position.

(12) FIG. 5B is an exploded partial assembly perspective view of that shown in FIG. 5A with bracket assemblies attached to vessel's main platform.

(13) FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional side plan view of that shown in FIG. 5B.

(14) FIG. 6A is a side plan view of the bushing used in the bracket assembly of the instant invention.

(15) FIG. 6B is a partial perspective side view of the bushing interposed bracket members of the instant invention.

(16) FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the port bracket assembly in stowed configuration.

(17) FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the port bracket assembly in deployed configuration.

(18) FIG. 7C is a perspective view of the starboard bracket assembly in deployed configuration.

(19) FIG. 7D is a perspective view of the starboard bracket assembly in stowed configuration.

(20) FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the port bracket assembly.

(21) FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the starboard bracket assembly.

(22) FIG. 10A is an alternative exploded perspective view of the starboard side bracket assembly.

(23) FIG. 10B is an alternative exploded perspective view of the port side bracket assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(24) With reference to FIG. 1A, a top plan view of the instant invention 10 is shown installed on a boat 11, with the manual submersible auxiliary swim platform 12 shown in a stowed position within the vessel's main rear platform 14. FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the invention as shown in FIG. 1A.

(25) With reference to FIG. 2A, shown is a perspective view of the auxiliary swim platform 12 in a deployed position from the vessel's main rear or swim platform 14. The vessel's main platform includes a recessed area 16 which receives the auxiliary swim platform 12 when in a stowed configuration. Starboard bracket assembly 18 and port bracket assembly 20 are shown in the deployed position, as detailed hereinafter.

(26) FIG. 2B is a top plan view of the auxiliary swim platform 12 as shown in FIG. 2A. FIG. 2C is a partial perspective view of the bracket assembly 18 detail area A shown in FIG. 2A.

(27) FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the swim platform 12 deployed as shown in FIG. 2B, and the underside 18 of main platform 14, and illustrating a access ladder 20 attached to the underside as well.

(28) FIG. 4A is a perspective top plan view of the auxiliary swim platform 12 and bracket assembly 20 in a stowed configuration, along with handle 22 and cutout 24.

(29) FIG. 4B is an alternative perspective top plan view of the auxiliary swim platform 12 and bracket assembly 18 in a stowed configuration with handle 22 attached and above cutout 24.

(30) FIG. 4C is a perspective bottom plan view of the auxiliary swim platform 12 as shown in FIG. 4A with bracket assemblies 18 and 20 in exploded detached view.

(31) FIG. 4D is a perspective bottom plan view of the auxiliary swim platform 12 shown in FIG. 4C with bracket assemblies 18 and 20 attached.

(32) FIG. 5A is an exploded partial pre-assembled perspective view of the auxiliary swim platform 12 with bracket assemblies 18 and 20 in deployed position.

(33) FIG. 5B is an exploded partial perspective view of that shown in FIG. 5A with auxiliary platform 12 and bracket assemblies 18 and 20 attached to the vessel's main platform 14, and ready for rotating upwardly and nesting within recessed area 16. It can be seen that auxiliary platform 12 rotates 180 degrees from deployed to stowed positions, and the reverse, through controlled movement by the design of the custom bracket and bushing assemblies.

(34) FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional side plan view of a bracket assembly shown in FIG. 5B, depicting main boat platform 14, bracket assembly 20 and auxiliary platform 12.

(35) FIG. 6A is a side plan view of a bushing 23, which can be a Delrin type, used in the bracket assembly of the instant invention. Bushing 23 is a detent bushing which contains a channel groove area 25 for receiving a bracket pin as described hereinafter.

(36) FIG. 6B is a partial perspective side view of the bushing 23 interposed bracket members 27 and 29 in an assembled configuration of the instant invention. Bracket member 29 contains bracket pin 31 which engages detent bushing 23 within the channel groove 25. As the bracket members 27 and 29 rotate around central axis 33, the bracket pin 31 travels within channel groove 25 and is constrained therein. Bracket member 27 also is designed to include a contact tab or edge 35 which provides a stop limiter against opposing bracket member pin 31. It can be seen that bracket pin 31 is offset on bracket member 29 away from the central axis 33, which provides the hardware for the bracket assembly as referenced below. The instant design of the detent bushing, channel groove, bracket members and offset pin provide the unique rotational hinge assembly which defines the movement of the auxiliary platform 12.

(37) FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the port bracket assembly 20 in stowed configuration.

(38) FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the port bracket assembly 20 in deployed configuration.

(39) FIG. 7C is a perspective view of the starboard bracket assembly 18 in deployed configuration.

(40) FIG. 7D is a perspective view of the starboard bracket assembly 18 in stowed configuration.

(41) FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the port bracket assembly 20 components prior to complete assembly. This includes first port bracket member 26, detent bushing 28, second port bracket member 30, support bolt 32 and associated assembly hardware, central bolt, washers and nut as shown. Second bracket member 30 contains the bracket offset pin 31 which engages the bushing channel groove as described above. First bracket member 26 is designed with the contact tab or stop limiter edge 35 which also can engage bracket offset pin 31 as referenced.

(42) FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the starboard bracket assembly 18 prior to complete assembly. This depicts corresponding and complementary bracket assembly features and components as described in FIG. 8, including first port bracket member 34, detent bushing 40, second port bracket member 42, central support bolt 44 and associated hardware as shown. Second bracket member 42 contains the bracket offset pin 31 which engages the bushing channel groove as described above. First bracket member 34 is also designed with the stop limiter edge 35 which also can engage bracket offset pin 31 as referenced.

(43) The first bracket members act as hangers from the main vessel platform, and the second bracket members as support and securing means for the auxiliary swim platform.

(44) As illustrated and describe above, the bracket assemblies are mechanisms consisting of two flat stainless steel plates that are rigid, two stainless brackets that carry the platform, and two large flat center bushings as well as pivot hardware. The rigid plates are mounted to the main vessel deck on the inside walls of the platform recess areas. The two movable stainless steel brackets pivot relative to the rigid plates having 90 degree flanges for mounting the platform. These movable plates are designed with a welded pin that is designed to contact a tab on the rigid plates to provide a secure stop in the deployed position. The large center bushing can be made from Delrin and is designed with a precision cut or channel feature that engages the pin on the movable plates to provide a reliable detent that holds the platform in the deployed position while still allowing the user to easily retrieve it. This center bushing is preassembled to the rigid plates to tightly control the quality of the detent action. The rigid plates, detent bushing, and moving brackets are assembled with stainless shoulder bolts, Nylon and stainless steel flat washers and a Nylon lock nut. The platform in a particular embodiment is a close molded fiberglass part with foam core and aluminum plates in the bracket mounting area to prevent having visible hardware on the top surfaced when stowed.

(45) FIGS. 6A and 6B depict the detent bushing, pin, moveable bracket plates and interrelationship thereto.

(46) The second bracket member of each bracket assembly rotates about the central axis downwardly from the first bracket member from a stowed to a deployed position as illustrated in the Figures. The detent bushing interposed the opposing bracket members controls and limits the movement of the auxiliary platform through the interrelated designs of the bushing, bracket members, offset pin, and engagement components as described. The bushing and bracket members in a preferred embodiment have generally circular lower ends which correspond to, and complement, a generally circular shape of the detent bushing.

(47) FIG. 10A is an alternative exploded perspective view of the starboard side bracket assembly 18.

(48) FIG. 10B is an alternative exploded perspective view of the port side bracket assembly 20.

(49) The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.